Zoo licence

Overview

To run a zoo in England, Scotland and Wales, you need a licence from South Tyneside Council.

The licence may be subject to fees and conditions to ensure the proper conduct of the zoo.

Notification to operate

Notification to operate a zoo

Apply for a licence

Apply online

Apply for a zoo licence

Apply by email

Zoo licence application form

Email your form to licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk

Apply to make a change

Apply to change a zoo licence

Apply to renew

Apply to renew a zoo licence

Eligibility

At least two months before making an application for a licence, you must give notice in writing (including by electronic means) to South Tyneside Council.

The notice must identify:

the zoo's location
the types of animals and approximate number of each group kept for exhibition on the premises and the arrangements for their accommodation, maintenance and wellbeing
the approximate numbers and categories of staff to be employed in the zoo
the approximate number of visitors and motor vehicles for which accommodation is to be provided
the approximate number and position of access to be provided to the premises
how required conservation measures will be implemented at the zoo

At least two months before making the application, you must also publish notice of that intention in one local newspaper and one national newspaper and exhibit a copy of that notice.

The notice must identify the location of the zoo and state that the application notice to the Council is available to be inspected at Council offices.

Application evaluation process

When considering an application, the Council shall take into account any representations made by or on behalf of:

the applicant
the chief officer of police (or in Scotland the chief constable) in the relevant area
the appropriate authority - this is either the enforcing authority or relevant authority in whose area the zoo will be situated
the governing body of any national institution concerned with the operation of zoos
where part of the zoo is not situated in the area of the local authority with power to grant the licence, a planning authority for the relevant area (other than a county planning authority) or, if the part is situated in Wales, the local planning authority for the area in which it is situated
any person alleging that the zoo would affect the health or safety of people living in the neighbourhood
anyone stating that the zoo would affect the health or safety of anyone living near it
any other person whose representations might show grounds on which the authority has a power or duty to refuse to grant a licence

Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, the Council will consider any inspectors' reports based on their inspection of the zoo, consult the applicant about any conditions they propose should be attached to the licence and make arrangements for an inspection to be carried out.

At least 28 days notice of the inspection shall be provided by the Council.

The Council will not grant the licence if they feel that the zoo would adversely affect the health or safety of people living in near it, or seriously affect the preservation of law and order or if they are not satisfied that appropriate conservation measures would be satisfactorily implemented.

An application may also be refused if the:

Council are not satisfied that accommodation, staffing or management standards are suitable for the proper care and wellbeing of the animals or for the proper conduct of the zoo
applicant, or if the applicant is an incorporated company, the company or any of the company's directors, managers, secretaries or other similar officers, or a keeper in the zoo, has been convicted of any offence involving the ill-treatment of animals

Applications to renew a licence will be considered no later than six months before the expiry of the existing licence, unless a shorter time period is allowed by the Council.

The Secretary of State, after consulting the Council, may direct them to attach one or more conditions to a licence.

The Council may advise the Secretary of State that, because of the small number of animals kept in the zoo or the small number of the kinds of animal kept there, a direction should be made that that a licence is not required.

How long it will take to process your application

If your application is successful and we have received all of the necessary documentation, your application will be processed within three working days after the 28 day consultation period.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent is where an application is treated as accepted if a reply is not recieved within a certain timeframe.

Tacit consent cannot apply because the Council must carry out checks to make sure that the application complies with the qualifying conditions and the premises must be inspected.

The Council will advertise the application for a period of 28 days.

A successful application will be processed within three working days after the expiry of that period.

If you want to check on the progress of your application please contact the Licensing Team on 0191 424 7695 or email licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Appeals

Appeal a decision

You should contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

You may also appeal to a magistrates' court within 28 days from the date on which the applicant receives written notification of the refusal.

Appealing a condition of the license

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

A licence holder may appeal to a Magistrates' court against:

any condition attached to a licence or any variation or cancellation of a condition
the refusal to approve the transfer of a licence
a zoo closure direction
enforcement steps relating to any unmet condition

The appeal must be brought within 28 days from the date on which the licence holder receives written notification of the Council's decision as to the relevant matter.

If you have a complaint

If you have a complaint, we advise that you contact the trader, preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice.

From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Any person who wishes to appeal against a decision to close a zoo may apply to the local Magistrates' court.

Appeals must be made within 28 days of the notice of the Council's decision.

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